A/PPS 07.03 - Awards and Recognitions

Awards and Recognitions

At the conclusion of the season, the conference office shall recognize those student-athletes who have met or exceeded academic excellence. The list of awards includes:

Conference Medallion - any Sun Belt Conference student-athlete who successfully completes graduation requirements at a member institution shall be awarded a graduation medallion awarded by the Conference. The Conference Medallion may be worn during graduation ceremonies.

Commissioner’s All-Academic List - The Commissioner’s All-Academic List is a compilation of all student-athletes to be honored for academic achievement. Student-athletes must attain a minimum 3.5 GPA during the current academic year, not as a cumulative average.

Academic Honor Roll - The Academic Honor Roll is a compilation of all student-athletes to be honored for academic achievement. Student-athletes must attain a minimum 3.5 GPA during the current academic year, not as a cumulative average.

NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships

Student-athletes may be nominated for NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships and National Scholarships. The Athletics Academic staff, Sports Information staff and Internal Operations staff will work together to nominate student-athletes as appropriate for these awards.

Oak Farms Academic Achievement Award

Oak Farms Academic Achievement Awards are presented to any student-athlete, cheerleader, Strutter or athletic trainer who has a minimum 3.0 GPA in the previous two semesters. The Cream of the Crop Award is presented to any student-athlete, cheerleader, Strutter or athletic trainer that earns a 4.0 GPA in one or both of the previous two semesters. Each recipient of these awards receives a framed certificate in recognition of his/her accomplishment.

Emmett Shelton Award

The Emmett Shelton Award is presented to the male and female sports team that maintain the highest team GPA during the previous calendar year.

T-Association Ring Ceremony

The T-Association Ring Ceremony is symbolic of excellence, not only on the playing field, but also in the classroom. The Department of Athletics initiated this program in May 1986. The Ring Ceremony is held at the conclusion of each semester, including summer. Eligible student-athletes are presented with the final T-Association letter award, a Bobcat ring as well as a graduation cord, provided by the Student-Athlete Advisory Council. A student-athlete is eligible to receive a T-Association Bobcat ring if he/she exhausted his/her NCAA eligibility at Texas State and completed requirements for an undergraduate degree from Texas State within one year after exhausting eligibility. Exceptions of this policy are approved by Athletics senior staff committee.

Jean Smith Outstanding Woman Athlete Award

The Jean Smith Outstanding Woman Athlete Award is presented to an outstanding female student-athlete at Texas State and is determined based on athletic ability, GPA, number of letters earned, athletic honors and recommendations to the selection committee. The recipient must enroll in graduate courses at Texas State within two years of receiving the award. This award requires a completed application packet.

Texas State Athletics Outstanding Male Athlete Award

The Outstanding Male Athlete Award is presented to an outstanding female student-athlete at Texas State and is determined based on athletic ability, GPA, number of letters earned, athletic honors and recommendations to the selection committee. The recipient must enroll in graduate courses at Texas State within two years of receiving the award. This award requires a completed application packet.

Texas State Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award

The Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award is presented to the outstanding male and female student-athletes who meet the following criteria: a letter winner of junior or senior status who has completed at least one full year of education at Texas State and has an overall minimum GPA of 3.2.

T-ASSOCIATION AWARDS

Eligible student-athletes are presented with T-Association letter awards each year. The determination of if a student-athlete lettered is left up to the Head Coach. The student-athlete must still be on the team or have exhausted eligibility in his/her sport to receive a T-Association letter award. The awards are: year one - backpack; year two - fleece blanket; year three - watch; year four - Bobcat Ring (see T-Association Ring Ceremony for more information on this award).

CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS

The Head Coach will work with the Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations to initiate the ring ordering process. This will include developing the design/concept and compiling a list of those individuals that will receive rings. Final approval of ring design, expenditure, and list of recipients is made by the Associate Athletics Director and the Director of Athletics.

JERSEY RETIREMENT POLICY

Criteria for athletic jersey retirement is The athlete must have compete a minimum of two seasons at Texas State, The athlete must have graduated from Texas State, The athlete must have shown outstanding citizenship during years at Texas State and following graduation, The athlete must have received national recognition during their career. National recognition could include, but is not limited to, All-American honors, Academic All-American honors, NCAA athletic or academic recognition, national statistical leadership in an individual category, or participation in a professional league after graduation, A minimum of five (5) years must have elapsed since the athlete’s completion of eligibility, Consideration is given to extended years of service at Texas State or extended years of consistent involvement with the university.

SOCIETY OF CHAMPIONS

The Society of Champions was initiated in the fall of 2003 to honor coaches in any intercollegiate sport at Texas State that wins a national championship. Society of Champions recognition is at Jim Wacker Field/Bobcat Stadium for the sports of football and men’s and women’s track and field. Baseball, softball and soccer are honored at their respective playing fields. All other sports are honored in Strahan Coliseum.

REVIEWERS OF THIS PPS

Reviewers of this PPS include the following:

Position

Date

Director, Athletics

November 1 E3Y

CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

This PPS has been approved by the following individuals in their official capacities and represents Texas State Athletics policy and procedure from the date of this document until superseded.